Melvin Knuth

Wainwright, David
From: Melvin Knuth <ccsa_sa @yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 1:18 AM
To: Bashaw, Justin P SAW
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SolarBees?
Dear U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District Mr. Justin Bashaw,
Allow me to begin by saying I am a great believer in utilizing innovative technologies wherever appropriate. However, I
also believe such technologies need to be carefully evaluated and tested to make sure that they will work and will not
cause more problems than they cure.
So far, I have heard very little evidence to indicate SolarBees will succeed in reducing pollutants in Jordan Lake,
especially as compared to tried and true methods that the current North Carolina government seems to want to
abandon.
Please oppose the use of SolarBees on Jordan Lake. North Carolina needs to move forward with the promised controls of
runoff from new and existing development, and upgrades to upstream wastewater treatment plants, NOT by employing
unproven floating mixers in the lake. The $1.65 million state earmark that funded the SolarBee project created a single -
source, no -bid contract that funnels money to the company that makes the mixers. This means no competition and no
serious evaluation of whether this technology will work on Jordan Lake. It's just another way for lawmakers to delay real
pollution controls on this beautiful lake.
I urge you to please oppose the use of SolarBees on Jordan Lake.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melvin Knuth
1800Lochbroom Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612